While airfare to Eastern Europe, where many countries outside the euro zone are based, used to be a deterrent, affordable alternatives have been introduced. The budget carrier Wizz Air flies to Krakow and other Central European cities from London, Paris and Milan. Ryanair and easyJet offer regular low-cost fares from London to Riga, Latvia, and other non-euro zone capitals.
Red-Hot Spots
A few countries and cities outside the euro zone have established themselves as get-there-quick destinations.
• The new-found political calm in the Balkans has brought a surge of European visitors to Croatia, and savvy Americans should join the pilgrimage. A tour from Dubrovnik along the Adriatic offers much of the same stunning scenery as the Amalfi Coast of Italy. "This is one of the best ways to see a wonderful part of Europe that has only recently become reopened to tourists," said Koblenz of Kollander Travel.
• Bulgaria is another hot destination. Like many of the countries using currencies other than the euro, this Eastern European country was part of the less accessible Soviet bloc until the early 1990s. Since then, beachgoers have headed for the Black Sea region. Although Varna, a seaside city of churches and pleasant cafes, draws the biggest crowds, the adventurous explorer would be better off in the nearby fishing village of Balchik.
• The Latvian capital of Riga, until 1991 part of the Soviet Union, is also attracting trendy road warriors. Against a backdrop of medieval buildings, stylish new hotels and restaurants have recently opened. A big draw is the Hotel Bergi, one of the snazziest boutique hotels in northern Europe. Clubs such as Pulkvedim Neviens Neraksta, with fusion and acid jazz music, and Nautilus, designed like a submarine, make for a lively after-hours scene.
• Poland offers history buffs many options. The elegant architecture of Krakow is a perennial favorite, and those curious about Europe's past should visit the Nazi concentration camps in nearby Auschwitz. A rush of new hotels and eateries in the capital of Warsaw have enhanced its appeal, too.
• From the captivating Julian Alps in the Triglav National Park to the lively cafe scene in the capital of Ljubljana, Slovenia is the one country outside the euro zone that features every imaginable scene. The three must-see stops are Ljubljana, the grand lake and medieval castle at Bled, and the awesome Skocjan Caves.
• First-time travelers outside the heart of Europe should make a beeline for the Czech capital of Prague. The commanding sweep of Bohemian-era buildings, from the 9th-century Prague Castle to the precious baroque buildings in the Mala Strana district, is easily worth the price of a transatlantic flight. The alluring mix of restaurants and cafes round out the experience. Budget travelers should steer clear of the centrally located hotels, which can easily cost $200 a night in summer. But plenty of affordable bed-and-breakfasts and guesthouses are near the city center.
• Between the architectural wonders along Castle Hill in Buda and the breathtaking concentration of fine arts museums in adjacent Pest, the Hungarian capital of Budapest is an art lover's paradise. While not as dainty as Prague, the atmosphere is more youthful. The two cities are near enough that both can be comfortably explored in a week.
With a few exceptions, most of the countries in the non-euro zone are angling to use the euro. In some cases, it will take a couple of years; in others it might be longer. But for travelers with dollars, the message is clear: Go now.
